Seen here is one of the 297 volumes of the historic royal text “Oegyujanggak,” which the National Museum of Korea (NMK) revealed to the public on July 4. France returned the books through a renewable lease about one month ago after keeping them for 145 years. The books, which detail the protocols of royal ceremonies and rites of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), were looted by French troops in 1866 when they invaded Ganghwa Island in retaliation for Koreans’ persecution of French Catholic missionaries. (Photo courtesy of NMK)

The books are currently in storage at the National Museum of Korea in central Seoul. The five books shown to media on Monday described the essence of each royal ceremony and rite and included the oldest one titled “Pungjeongdogam Uigwae” (1630), according to the museum.

The museum plans to hold a special exhibition of the retrieved royal books from July 19 to Sept. 18.